Building Something That Lasts

A few weeks ago I finally finished Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald.  I found it to be a very encouraging book.  The chapters written by Jennie Chancey moved quickly and held my interest, whereas, the chapters by Stacy McDonald dragged a little in my opinion.  But overall, I would certainly recommend it.

I would like to strike-out the title in my sidebar of books I’m currently reading but I’m not sure how.  Can anyone help me on that?

In the chapter "Aspiring to Great Heights," written by Stacy McDonald, there is a fictitious story of a mother with several children who receives a visit from a new neighbor.  The neighbor is single and cannot fathom having so many children.

I wanted to share an excerpt from that chapter.  It starts with the neighbor, Leslie, talking.

"Well, I’m glad you’re happy, but I just can’t imagine being home with kids all day – to not have time for myself.  That’s what happened to my mom."  Leslie raised her eyebrows and shook her head.

Carolyn smiled again and quietly prayed for wisdom.  "Well, I can understand your struggle.  In fact, I learned the hard way that when I tried to serve myself, I only got further and further from what I was really after anyway.  It was only after I poured myself into serving others – specifically my husband and children – that I found what I was after all along – a satisfied and meaningful life.  The Bible teaches us to put others first.  As a Christian, I finally learned this."

"I just don’t understand; how you can be happy serving other people all day," Leslie responded, a note of exasperation in her voice.  "You seem like a smart lady; don’t you ever worry about losing your identity?"

"Do you ever worry about losing yours?" Carolyn answered gently.  "You work for a large corporation that doesn’t know you as a person – doesn’t really care.  How would you like to work for your best friend all day?  Imagine what it would be like to build a real empire together.  Not an empire of stocks and bonds or skyscrapers, but future generations – something that truly lasts."  Carolyn’s eyes swept across the room where her children played.